The sketchiness of the invalid is further highlighted by how his healing in John 5 is closely mirrored by the healing of the man born blind in John 9 and the much more faithful response of the blind man. In his commentary on Matthew, Jerome mistakenly interpreted kananaios as an indicator that Simon was from Cana, which led to other errors: He was surnamed Peter to distinguish him from another Simon who is called the Cananean, from the village of Cana of Galilee, where the Lord turned water into wine.. In Season 2, Episode 5, Simon seeks out Jesus and joins the disciples. When Simon joins the Zealots, we understand that he is being driven by his longing for justice. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. That said, this is an adaptation and that means it's their telling of these stories, so I won't be too bummed if they've taken reworked this relatively minor story. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. So The Chosen has made Nathanael an architect in order to make this image of Jesus as a stairway/ziggurat particularly relevant to his character. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Your contributions mean so much. Logos Bible Software 10 review: Do you REALLY need it? Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. And since this immovable resolution of theirs is well known to a great many, I shall speak no further about that matter; nor am I afraid that any thing I have said of them should be disbelieved, but rather fear, that what I have said is beneath the resolution they show when they undergo pain. Luke 6:15. We create research-based articles and handy infographics to help people understand the Bible. To watch this season with your group, you'll need to pick up The Chosen app (, So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed. But he answered them, The man who healed me, that man said to me, Take up your bed, and walk. They asked him, Who is the man who said to you, Take up your bed and walk? Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. FAQ: When Was Simon The Apostle Born? - stbartsestes.org [9] Another tradition holds that this is the Simeon of Jerusalem who became the second bishop of Jerusalem, although he was born in Galilee. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. Matthew 10:4. In the thirteenth century, Jacobus de Varagine compiled numerous biographies of the saints into The Golden Legend, where centuries after Jerome, the error was repeated: Simon is as much to say as obedient, or being in heaviness. Scripture tells us almost nothing about Simon. Some have suggested that Jesus is cryptically alluding to the fig leaves of Genesis 3. Where did Simon the Zealot live? In The Chosen, Nathanael is portrayed as an architect in order to give his character depth and perhaps because the biblical story that features him contains a reference to Jacob's ladder. Did the healing of the invalid man by the Pool of Bethesda play out like you expected? Simon may have been a member of a rebellious group that was prone to violence. He saw numerous demonstrations of Jesus divinity. But what we do know is this: he passionately believed in . As we mentioned earlier, Rhoades argues that Josephus work makes it clear that there was no formal group called the Zealots until about 68 AD. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Simon the Zealot's prologue establishes his longing to combat evil and injustice. Simon the Zealot | Angel Studios Ethiopian Christians believe he was crucified in Samaria. Updates? Now that day was the Sabbath. (The Transfiguration of Jesus & the Second Commandment), Reflecting on The Chosen Season 3 & Anticipating Season 4: What Worked & What to Fix, The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 7 & 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Thomas & Ramah in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Yussif, Jairus, & Shmuel in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Quintus, Gaius, Atticus, and the Romans in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Pontius Pilate & his Wife in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Episode 8 Guide: The Feeding of the 5,000. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle - Learn Religions Often asked: How Did The Apostle Simon The Caananite Die? Having examined what the Bible says about Simon the Zealot and Nathanael, however, it should be clear why it's necessary for The Chosen to build on what the Bible says. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. Like most of the other apostles, Simon the Zealot deserted Jesus during his trial and crucifixion. One popular theory is that he was martyred. The Golden Legend records that Simon preached in Egypt, then partnered with Judas, the brother of Jesus: Judas preached first in Mesopotamia and in Pontus, and Simon preached in Egypt, and from thence came they into Persia, and found there two enchanters, Zaroes and Arphaxat, whom S. Matthew had driven out of Ethiopia.. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? The Zealots were a group of Jews who believed that God had called them to overthrow the Roman Empire through physical force. Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), S3 still - Feeding the 5,000 - Jesus and Simon the Zealot feed the hungry crowd, The only biblical references to Simon the Zealot are found in listings of the 12 disciples (, The Bible itself never explains Simon's relationship to the Zealot movement. I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a former Zealot who has repented and turned to Jesus. Why do you think The Chosen made Simon the Zealot and Jesse the Invalid brothers? Or even zealous for Jesus and his teachings. He was a Zealot for much of his life, which meant he was extremely legalistic and held a deep-set hatred towards the Romans and any who had dealings with them. After watching The Chosen, have you ever felt inspired to create your own work of Bible Art or biblical adaptation? ; Western feast day October 28, Eastern feast day June 19), one of the Twelve Apostles. We have one tantalizing bit of information about him, which has led to ongoing debates among Bible scholars. Fact 3, however, is unique. Matthew 10:1-4), he appears to have already been established as a disciple of Jesus. And, who knows? The Zealots were a political movement among Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government. At once they left their nets and followed him. One such offshoot of the Zealots was the Sicarii, or daggermen, a group of assassins who tried to cast off Roman rule. The Zealots (as The Chosen shows) were a group of religious insurgents, who sought to push back against the oppressive practices of Rome through violence, terrorism, and assassination. I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a. (NIV). Like many of the apostles, its hard to conclude exactly which tradition (if any) can be trusted: Like many of the lesser-known apostles, most of Simon the Zealots life and identity remains a mystery, and the few details the Bible gives us has led to centuries of speculation, little of which can be confirmed or denied. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. We are exposed to the indignities and oppression he witnessed as a young man and sympathize with his desire to make things right. Saint Simon the Apostle | Christian Apostle | Britannica Simon was called by Jesus and was completely changed. I was half-right. The most widespread tradition is that after evangelizing in Egypt, Simon joined Jude in Persia and Armenia or Beirut, Lebanon, where both were martyred in 65 AD. Simeon of Jerusalem - Wikipedia Known for: Little-known apostle of Jesus Christ. There's also a separate area for you to draw and take notes on your favorite biblical characters. Jesus Christ transcends political causes, governments, and all earthly turmoil. Christian Ethiopians claim that he was crucified in Samaria, while Justus Lipsius writes that he was sawn in half at Suanir, Persia. The Bible says nothing more about Simon the Zealot after Acts 1:13, though there are several theories about whatever happened to him. The appearances of Nathanael (in John 1 and John 21) function as a kind of framing device for John's Gospel. The moniker the Zealot comes from the Greek word zlts, which the Apostle Luke used in both his gospel and Acts to distinguish this Simon from Simon Peter. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. English Standard Version Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. St. Simon the Zealot - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Also known as: Kananaios, Simon the Cananean, Simon the Zealot, the Cananaean. Matthew and Mark give him the title kananaios, which most scholars believe comes from the Aramaic word qan'an, meaning "zealous one." So what does this title mean? Regardless of why this line was included, we know nothing else about the angel described - if he even existed. The Apostle Philip followed Peter, John, James, and Andrew in being called to serve as a disciple of Jesus. Although there are various versions of his death, it is likely he served with zeal as a missionary in Persia and eventually died a martyr's death. The Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that Simon the Zealot may be the same person as Simeon of Jerusalem or Simon the brother of Jesus or both. Who Was Simon the Zealot? When Jesus cleanses the temple in the Gospel of John, his disciples recall Psalm 69:10, implying that Jesus was motivated by zeal: His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.. The mention ends with the phrase "this is Simon the Cananite, of whom mention is made in the Gospel. We don't see any signs of Jesse responding to his healing in a sketchy way in Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 2. If Josephus account is reliable, its possible that Simon the Zealot did belong to this groupwhether or not it was formally known as the Zealots at the time he was involved or the time the gospels were written. In the gospels Simon the Zealot is not identified with Simon the brother of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6 :3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. If Simon the Zealot had gone through with his attempt to assassinate the Roman leader, his hope would also have been disappointed by the intervention of Atticus, the undercover Roman agent. Eusebius, a Greek historian of Christianity, wrote that Simon the Zealot became the second bishop of Jerusalem. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? In a smaller ensemble, it's common for character abilities to fall into basic archetypal patterns like the power trio (the logical brain, the emotional friend, and the balanced hero) or the five-man band (the charismatic leader, the edgy anti-hero, the brain, the tank, and the token girl). The Chosen follows this theory and portrays Simon as a Zealot who gives up his violent ways in order to follow Jesus. Some might have family members carry them back and forth from home and help them when needed, but others were basically homeless people who had to beg in order to get food and care. Ordinary Rebels: Matthew & Simon the Zealot - Jeffrey Holton Saint Simon the Apostle, also called Simon the Zealot, (flourished 1st century addied, Persia or Edessa, Greece? Jesus can't just throw out tantalizing lines about seeing Nathanael under the fig tree and then never explain what he means - we need to see the backstory and understand the personal significance of Jesus' words. Eastern tradition says Simon died peacefully at Edessa. I have Bible studies/discussion guides for each episode of The Chosen Seasons 1-3, blogs exploring how The Chosen adapts key biblical figures, and articles exploring the controversial nature of adaptation. Zavada, Jack. Even though the Book of Acts and the epistles never describe Simon the Zealots ministry, as one of the Twelve, he wouldve been one of the most important leaders of the early church. Simon left everything in his previous life to follow Jesus. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. The Bible gives us very little information about Simon the Zealot and no information about his family. As foreign conquerors imposed their pagan ways on the Jewish people, the Zealots sometimes turned to violence. The second explanation is that the show wanted this story to have a happy ending and so it significantly changed it to end in the desired place. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? They were . This would be very in-keeping with the Gospel of John, which is quite interested in the way people initially respond to Jesus with faith when he does a miracle but eventually fall away when he doesn't something inexplicable or the water gets too hot. Even his moniker, the Zealot is ambiguous enough that we cant be sure what it meansthough there are several strong possibilities. Simon is a kind, gentle man who knows how to extend charity to others without making them feel ashamed. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! Nathanael said to him, How do you know me? Jesus answered him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God! Nathanael's aspiration to build great things for God becomes a kind of excuse/justification that allows his arrogance to grow out of control, until it finally lands him in tragedy. Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. Certain Old Latin translations of the Gospel of Matthew substitute "Judas the Zealot" for Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in Matthew 10:3. Today we'll be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael and how The Chosen adapts them to the screen. According to an Eastern tradition Simon travelled to Georgia on a missionary trip, died in Abkhazia and was buried in Nicopsia. Simon's background as a Zealot also establishes that he is a serious, disciplined, and *surprise* zealous person. Instead, Jesus shows up and provides him with a new and unexpected way to fulfill his longing, by contributing to the construction of God's spiritual temple, the church. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, Do you want to be healed? The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me. Jesus said to him, Get up, take up your bed, and walk. And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. So who was this person the Bible calls Simon the Zealot, and what do we actually know about him? As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. Explain that this episode of The Chosen Season 2 will be exploring many of these questions imaginatively, filling in the details that the Bible leaves us to wonder about. It is uncertain whether he was one of the group of Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party before ad 70. Of course, within the frame of the narrative itself, Jesus appears to be demonstrating his super-human knowledge - a common theme in the Gospel of John. Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 10:3). If thats what the Zealot refers to, then like Matthew the Tax Collector, the Apostle Simons presence among the Twelve represents a powerful picture of the gospel. In The Chosen, during Season 2 Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is depicted as being the brother of the paralyzed man Jesus heals by the Pool of Bethesda, who is named Jesse in the show. Matthew 10:2-4These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. The Shocking Truth About Simon the Zealot's Past Before Meeting Jesus By engaging with Scripture creatively, you'll allow your imagination to be unconsciously shaped and formed by the images, metaphors, and patterns of the biblical story. The Chosen creatively connects these two characters in order to make a point. The Bible does not tell us anything about Simon the Zealot before he met Jesus. After seeing his brother healed by Jesus, do you think he will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation? And it was in Gessius Floruss time that the nation began to grow mad with this distemper, who was our procurator, and who occasioned the Jews to go wild with it by the abuse of his authority, and to make them revolt from the Romans.. His painful backstory and longing for justice serve as an excuse/justification for him to engage in acts of violent vengeance. If you're like me, watching The Chosen is about more than entertainment. In the gospels Simon the Zealot is not identified with Simon the brother of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6:3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" Perhaps your quiet time will generate an idea that you can turn into something beautiful! Simon was a man of intense loyalties and warm personal devotions, and he did profoundly love Jesus. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. They were also known to target Jews who were sympathetic to Rome. And he had a double name; he was said Simon Zelotes, and Simon Cananean of Cana a street that is in Galilee, there whereas our Lord converted the water into wine.. "[12][13], In the apocryphal Arabic Infancy Gospel a fact related to this apostle is mentioned. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? Or did he in fact find a way to straddle the two movements? Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (e.g.. The connection between the two figures is invented in order to add depth to Simon's character and suggest thematic connections between their stories. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. This version is the one found in the Golden Legend. Jesus is depicting himself as the stairway between heaven and earth that Jacob once saw at Bethel. The 12 Disciples Of Jesus: Who Exactly Were They? (2023) [citation needed]. Jesus' kingdom was not about politics but salvation. When he surrendered to Vespasian, he claimed Jewish messianic prophecies were about Vespasian becoming the emperor of Rome, and lo and behold Vespasian decided to let him live, taking him on as a slave. I hope you enjoy them! Poorly-made religious films make the mistake of boiling down the diverse longings that lead people to God into a single uniform desire (usually a desire for love or for forgiveness). zealots. How does it affect your view of Jesse, to know that he had a brother who left him at the pool in order to go fight the Roman Empire? We can't know for sure, but it's hard to imagine that someone could follow the peaceful way of Jesus and still participate in a violent insurrection. Study now. Jesus first met Simon peter while he was a disciple of John the baptist John 1:35-42 . How do you think the show will influence the way you read biblical stories about them going forward? By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. According to the Golden Legend, which is a collection of hagiographies, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine in the thirteenth century "Simon the Cananaean and Judas Thaddeus were brethren of James the Less and sons of Mary Cleophas, which was married to Alpheus. Others have seen a connection to the description of the peaceful abundance of Solomon's reign, when every Israelite sat under his own fig tree (1 Kings 4:25). [21], In art, Simon has the identifying attribute of a saw because according to tradition he was martyred by being sawn in half. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. He was crucified 10 May 61 AD by the Roman Catus Decianus, at Caistor, modern-day Lincolnshire, Britain. [18] Nikephoros I of Constantinople writes:[18][19]. In Episode 2 of The Chosen Season 2, Jesus encountered a man who had his career crumble all around him. There's no evidence to suggest Nathanael was a failed architect. We can't know for sure, but it's hard to imagine that someone could follow the peaceful way of Jesus and still participate in a violent insurrection. However, Josephus attempted to trace the groups origins back to a small uprising by a man named Judas of Galilee, who stirred up a rebellion due to a Roman census in 6 ADthe very same Roman census which Luke says led Mary and Joseph to Nazareth, where Jesus was born. He found Philip and said to him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Whether you're studying on your own or with your small group or ministry, Come and See is a perfect resource to help you dig deeper into The Chosen. In the sixteenth century, Justus Lipsius claimed he was sawed in half. Despite the lack of mention in the Gospels, the Bible cites his name in Acts 1:13, where the disciples met together the day after Jesus ascended to heaven. See answer (1) Copy. Simon is mentioned occasionally in early church writings, but centuries after the gospels were written, Saint Jerome and others mistranslated Simons title, believing that Matthew and Mark referred to him as Simon the Cananite or Simon the Cananaean. This is why, in order to understand how The Chosen adapts the characters of Simon and Nathanael, its important for us to not just focus on the handful of facts that the Bible tells us about them. The Bible mentions Nathanael less frequently than Simon the Zealot; he only comes up twice in the Gospel of John [although he may correspond to Bartholomew, who is mentioned in the list of Jesus' disciples (e.g., The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.
how did simon the zealot meet jesus
